Blue Aeroplanes Bop Art Rar
In a review in 1990 for the Boston Globe, staff writer Jim Sullivan concluded that the Blue Aeroplanes “ took the crowd for a careening, thoroughly unaffected, joy ride, an improbable and wholly frenzied cross of the Ramones, the Velvet Underground and the Byrds. ” In 1984 the Blue Aeroplanes made their full-length debut with Bop Art. Bop Art (1984) Control of Embassies Pinkies Hit the Union Gunning the Works Owls Outback Jazz Chelsea Wallpaper Bagpipe Music Built in a Day Bonus track on 1994 CD reissueUnsquare Dance Tolerance (1985) Arriving Journal of an Airman Rare Flowers Warhol's Fifteen 30 Lover & Confidante Tolerance. My copy of the Blue Aeroplanes 'Access All Areas' release that had been pre-listed on Amaz.n for ages arrived this week and has prompted a blog. At this point I should add a disclaimer that this is not an Albino Two release and this post has nothing to do with the label.
![Aeroplanes Aeroplanes](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEqw97lG7x4/WUfeEWc9nuI/AAAAAAAAAt8/aQUF5QZeXcskvfuLIfwAgAmkoY1H8_IAACLcBGAs/s1600/jaikoz.jpg)
Blue Aeroplanes Bop Art Rarity
The Blue Aeroplanes are an English rock band from Bristol, the mainstays of which: Gerard Langley, brother John Langley and Wojtek Dmochowski originate from the earlier New Wave “Art band” Art Objects (1978–81).
'The first gig under the name Blue Aeroplanes was at the King St. Art Gallery in Bristol in 1981.
The line-up was mainly ex-Art Objects, plus Nick Jacobs on guitar and vocals. The same line-up played 3 or 4 gigs over the next couple of years, either at the gallery or for benefits, including a Karl Marx centenary gig at the Victoria Rooms (with additional trumpet and didgeridoo).'
The Blue Aeroplanes first album Bop Art was released on their own Party Records in 1984 (and rapidly picked up by the Abstract (US) and Fire (UK) labels and contains material that was considered for a follow up to Art Objects only album, Bagpipe Music. Gerard Langley's poetic lyrics (largely spoken) were combined with a heavily guitar-centric band that went on to release Tolerance (1986) and Spitting Out Miracles (1987) plus several singles and EPs whose B-sides were brought together in the compilation Friend Lover Plane (1988) all on the Fire label.
In 1989 the band released probably their most critically acclaimed album, Swagger this time on a major label Chrysalis/Ensign. This was followed up by Beatsongs which was recorded in the United States and released in 1991. This second album on the major label was their highest charting, reaching no.33 in the UK album charts. A second compilation of rare B-sides and out-takes, Friend Lover Plane 2 (Up In A Down World), was released in 1992.
The follow-up to Beatsongs was delayed until 1994 and marked another label change, this time to Beggars Banquet. This new album, Life Model and its follow-up on the new label, Rough Music (1995), showed that the band could consistently produce high quality albums. Broken & Mended from Life Model was the band's last single to chart and is a favourite at gigs.
![Art Art](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1wCAD3o8wU/VxjN8i1FgrI/AAAAAAAAB5U/8izkb0VKz7sY4RQt0cUYwHZBV4yEObU3QCLcB/s1600/001.jpg)
A long break and another label change to ArtStar preceded before Cavaliers was released in 2000. Then following negotiations with EMI who now owned the rights to Swagger and Beatsongs, The Blue Aeroplanes made a surprise return to this major label. EMI re-released Swagger Deluxe as a 2-CD version in January 2006 and an album of new material called Altitude later that year. The group then recorded an album of cover versions of classic tracks that were original recorded by artists signed to the Harvest Label. This album, called Harvester, was released by EMI in 2007.
As well as the two Friend Lover Plane compilations, several other compilations have been released in recent years. Huh! The Best of The Blue Aeroplanes (1987-1992) was released by EMI/Chrysalis in 1997 and featured many of the songs from Swagger and Beatsongs. Also in 1997, Warhols 15 The Best Of The Blue Aeroplanes (1985-1988) was released and covered the preceding period when the band was signed to Fire records. In 1996 Fruit (live 1985-1995) was released on Fire records and covered 10 years of live performances recorded at various venues.
Then in 2001, ArtStar released Weird Sh*t which featured both rare tracks and alternative versions of some of the band's best-known songs from Swagger through to 'Cavaliers.
Blue Aeroplanes Bop Art Rare
In 2008 and 2009 limited edition live albums were released and sold at the annual Christmas gig at Fiddlers in Bristol. Live in Cheltenham (2008) and Skyscrapers (2009) were limited to just 100 copies each and each featured songs not included on the other live CD. An eagerly awaited new album, When Things Are Good, is set for release in early 2010 and includes '25 Kinds of Love' which the band have been performing at live gigs.
![Aeroplanes Aeroplanes](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jfULof7sJAg/V-_WrJYJDhI/AAAAAAAAJM8/XdZBSgBVDjUULcvkbWCjx1v_Qrscd6A1QCLcB/s1600/BE-B%2526ASC-1218370272.jpeg)
Live performances
Much of the appeal of The Blue Aeroplanes lies in their excellence as a live act. Happy headlining gigs in small indie venues or supporting big acts such as REM and Siouxsie & the Banshees on major international tours, The Blue Aeroplanes have a reputation for keeping their set list as fresh as the line-up of guitarists. Frontman Gerard Langley has a huge stage presence, always wearing his trademark shades even at night in dark venues, and will move from casually introducing songs and making cryptic comments to answering questions from the audience back to his half-sung, half spoken snarling delivery of his lyrics.
Memorable performances include the band's 1992 appearance at Glastonbury which was broadcast on BBC Radio 1, the famous finale at the Hammersmith Apollo when 12 guitarists were seen on stage performing 'Breaking in My Heart' and not to forget, the now annual appearance at Fiddlers in Bristol.
The band feature an ever-changing lineup, which (as of 2016) includes 41 ex-members, a feat only beaten by The Fall. Gerard, John and Wojtek have been the only mainstays since the band's inception, although John left the band between 1990 and 2004 and went on to be drummer for Strangelove during this time. Ex (and current) members have gone on to be members of Primal Scream, Witness, Massive Attack and Strangelove.
The band tend to end their live sets with 'Breaking In My Heart', which has been known to feature multiple guest guitarists on stage playing the main riff, this included members of R.E.M. in the early 1990s when the Aeroplanes were tour support, where they also had a total of 15 guitarists playing simultaneously. REM's famous song 'Losing My Religion' is also said to be written about Gerard.